6 problems of business automation

automation

Hi, I’m Maxim Belyakov, founder of the development studio sailet.kz. For 7 years now, we’ve been automating business processes for companies using the most advanced IT solutions. Today, I'll be talking about automation challenges with very simple examples. Even if you never thought about automating your company's processes, read to the end (there's a gift inside).

things no one will tell you about (but I will)
Many people think that automation instantly solves all problems. Yeah, right! In reality, the process of implementing automation can turn into a real quest full of traps and disappointments.

In this article, we'll break down the 6 issues every entrepreneur faces on their journey towards automation, and, of course, offer solutions to avoid getting «stuck in the mud»
Situation:

Problem 1:
The desire to automate everything at once

A logistics company decides to automate its processes. They try to cover everything at once, from warehouse operations to marketing.
Problem:
Trying to automate everything in one go is like trying to eat an entire cake in one sitting: expensive, complicated, and not necessarily enjoyable.
Solution:
Start small. Choose the most critical processes that generate revenue and automate them step by step. Evaluate the results before moving forward.
Situation:

Problem 2:
Expecting quick results

A company believes that automation will immediately save a lot of money. But after three months, they become disillusioned: expenses are not decreasing, and the results are underwhelming.
Problem:
Quick miracles only happen in fairy tales.
Solution:
Set realistic goals. Automation takes time to pay off. Focus on long-term benefits and don't expect instant results.
Situation:

Problem 3:
Attempting to automate chaos

The company has issues with inventory management and sales processes. No one knows how goods reach customers or what steps are actually needed.
Problem:
Automation doesn't work well with chaos. Disorganized processes simply get transferred into an automated system and remain chaotic.
Solution:
First, bring order. Conduct an audit and streamline your processes to understand exactly what needs to be automated.
Situation:

Problem 4:
Automation without integration

The company automated its order management system but forgot that it needs to integrate with existing systems. As a result, employees have to manually enter data into old systems.
Problem:
Incomplete integration creates more problems than it solves.
Solution:
Plan for integration from the start. Understand how new systems will interact with older ones and prepare a detailed integration plan.
Situation:

Problem 5:
Automating rare processes

A company suddenly thinks it needs to automate some minor process that happens just once a month.
Problem:
Investment doesn’t pay off because the process is too infrequent to justify automation.
Solution:
Use the formula:
Time Costs × Resource Costs) / Output Result

If the value is high, then it's worth automating the process. If not, leave it as is.
Situation:

Problem 6:
Lack of process understanding

Entrepreneurs want to automate everything, but they themselves do not fully understand how their processes work.
Problem:
Lack of clarity leads to confusion, wrong decisions, and wasted resources.
Solution:
Before automating, study all your processes. Consult experts to identify weak points and proceed with automation without surprises.
When should you start automation?
  • Growing Volume of Operations: When your business scales up and the volume of operations increases, automation helps keep things organized.

  • Process Optimization: If there’s something that can be standardized and made faster, automation is your best friend.

  • Cost Reduction: Fewer people means fewer errors and lower costs.

  • Compliance: As regulations become more complex, automation ensures everything stays under control.

  • Data Analysis: Automated systems gather all the numbers and help make strategic decisions.

Automation isn’t a magic solution, but it can be a powerful tool for business growth if done wisely. Don’t try to automate everything overnight, and don’t forget about integration. Most importantly, be realistic in your expectations and prepare for the long game.
And now, the promised gift — a SECRET link. Click through to the page and fill out the form for a free consultation. Your automation journey starts with a single click!

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